The molecular biology, or Genetics, was my all-time favorite subject! and even though many in my batch didn't like it so much, I'll tell you that there's so much to learn from it and why the entire teaching department stands to be the best in the MLS faculty if not in the entire university!
First, the science of genetics, also known as molecular biology ( sometimes the naming makes a bit of
difference.) is a relatively new science. It came to prove (or refute) some theories that were known before it flourished, & therefore it needs a person who enjoys open-mindedness, vivid imagination, patience & dedication. All of the members of the teaching department are aware of this fact & are very patient with the students as they know it might take time for some to assimilate the contents of the course. Dr. Hisham provides the(following) lectures in advance to students in a pdf format so that you can study the next lecture ( just the night before it comes) & have an idea about it, maybe prepare some questions for him (As so did I, which gave plenty of time to think about it, learn some of the new concepts, prepare some questions,etc). The technology used in genetics is very modern. They require equipment not available in all the labs in Sudan. Nevertheless, they still present it in the lab ( as you'll see in the 3rd year).
So, Let me give you a brief introduction to what the molecular biology's course is about:
Genetics is the study of genes & how they affect inheritance. As well as their structure, function, variation & transmission. But in order to understand genes, we need to understand the cells that contain them, their types & their components.
Dr. Hisham annually updates the curriculum. He adds & removes parts of lectures, adds new lectures or remove ones he sees not as valuable as others depending on the semester's schedule.
However, the core lectures that include introductory information to the science of molecular biology are often the same. They include:
1. Definition of terminology:Simple definitions like: what's a cell?, what's a chromosome?, what's DNA?,
What's a gene? what's a genome? & what's the central dogma?, mutation, polymorphism, genotype & phenotype.
2.DNA structure:-Brief history.
-Properties of the DNA model.
-Nucleotides & nucleosides.
-Base Pairs
-Histones.
-Chromatin & Chromatids.
3.DNA: physical & chemical structure:-Purines & Pyrimidines.
-DNA forms: A-DNA, B-DNA & Z-DNA.
-What does it take to denature DNA.
4. Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic cells:
-A brief recount of what you probably know from the biology course with focus on the Genetic material; DNA.
5.Chromosomes: Structure & function:
-Chromosomes are DNA tightly compacted in one body.
-How many chromosomes are there in a cell?
-An abnormal structure &/or number in chromosomes leads to some serious diseases.
6.Mitochondrial DNA:
-An in-depth study of mitochondria & why they're important in terms of inheritance patterns.
-What is a mitochondrial inheritance.
7.DNA replication:
-A description of how a cell makes more of its DNA.
8.Transcription:
-A description of how DNA is made into RNA.
9.Translation:
-A description of how protein is made out of RNA.
10.Gene cloning & recombinant DNA technology:
-How can genes be artificially cloned.
-How can genes be incorporated into a cell to have a protein product.
NOTES:-
As I said above, these are the main lectures, Dr. Hisham & other lecturers adjust the curriculum as they see fit.
Refer to this article to check what the following lectures will be like & have a bit of an idea ( I'll be updating the list & descriptions)
I'll provide the lectures in pdf or Powerpoint format. Make sure to briefly go through the next lecture to be mentally prepared & maybe know what you'll need to know.
That's it! I hope you enjoy the molecular biology to the maximum as I know it's a really really fun science!
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